Before this experience, I struggled with addiction for over a decade. First, however, I must say that this experience is not what helped me quit my addiction. Rather, I was finally able to quit only after changing my environment and removing myself from unhealthy social circles—Not easy. That being said, I'm sure this therapy would be beneficial in overcoming addiction because it is that powerful.
A little background on myself: Since leaving home at 18, I have moved from one place to another, bouncing from one bad job to another and searching for my path in life. I would take college courses here and there with the dream of someday getting my degree (in what? I never really knew that either). But depression, anxiety, and addiction were everyday obstacles holding me back from achieving anything of that magnitude because, despite years of therapy, I still had unresolved symptoms of past trauma.
At the beginning of this year (2024), I achieved one year of sobriety for the first time in my life. It was (and still is) an amazing feeling, but I was still feeling lost and unsure of my path and where I belong in the world. Which isn’t a great feeling when you’ve been around the sun over 30 times. This brought me to seek out an alternative therapy that I had previously heard great things about, and I found Mindtrek.
My experience at Mindtrek was one of profound positivity, which set the course for the transformation I was seeking. I followed their pre-journey suggestions of meditation and focusing inward and journaled to note the answers I would seek, my fears, excitement, motivations, and anything else. Having a plan really helps, especially if the journey takes an unexpected turn or loses direction. I also told myself to try and keep an open heart/mind throughout to get the most I could out of this journey.
Alexis was my guide, and I later met Scott and Lauri—absolutely some of the kindest and most positive people you’ll ever meet! The vibe and setting they’ve created at Mindtrek are peaceful and serene, allowing you to let go of your worries and just let the psilocybin do its thing.
The main takeaway I would like to provide for others is that although this is a wonderful and magical experience, it is not a magic solution that will solve all of your problems unless you/the client actually want change and are willing to put forth some effort - much like overcoming addiction. Our minds can be scary places, and this experience can make you aware of that if you go in unprepared and unfocused. But if you put in the effort to look inward and face your demons, so to speak, the reward is absolutely life-changing. This experience taught me that although we all have skeletons in our closets, it is impossible to find peace of mind until you are willing to reflect on yourself and confront the things in your mind that hold you back from being the best version of yourself.
I would like to continue to treat myself to this experience for years to come because it feels like several years of therapy packed into just 4 to 5 hours. I truly hope this type of guided therapy becomes more prevalent because it is, in my opinion, the most transformative therapy out there. I understand why some people may dismiss psilocybin as just another recreational drug. However, in a therapeutic setting, it is a natural medicine that can help people in the most profound ways. I highly recommend Mindtrek to anyone in need of guidance and self-love. It may not be cheap, but neither are years of therapy and anti-depressants!
-S.W